Thanks go out to caring townspeople

As 2008 draws to a close, now is a good time to reflect on our surroundings, and what we can truly be thankful for.

As snow piles up around us here in the hills and cold winds whip around our homes, it's time to stop and realize how blessed we are for the warmth of family and friends, particularly those who help out when times are tough.

We are all proud to live in a small community where our residents all step up to help out and where many who find time will volunteer to help out both with others and with benefit community efforts. Some of you do not want to be named, so we are only going to use a few first names. But we do thank you all for your help in keeping Thurman a wonderful place to live.

Special thanks go out to Dick, George, Jimmy, Bruce, Jon, Jerry, Bob, Cliff, Randy, Ernie, Bill, Chuck, Jed, and all the silent ones. Appreciation also goes to the ladies who give of their time and are always helping out. Thanks to Paula, Cindy, Helen, Sue, Lisa, Grace, Karma, Bonnie, Barb, Diane, Charlotte, Becky, Robin, Amber, Joan, Ruth, Maria, Jamiee, Ida, Mary, Dot, and to those who want to be anonymous - all of you are so much appreciated!

Santa hosts joyful children

Just ask any of the 65 children who watched in excitement as Santa arrived on a firetruck and was later escorted into the Town Hall Sat. Dec. 13 by volunteer firemen - as a holiday "honor guard."

Mrs. Claus and an elf came from the North Pole with Santa, and all the children received gifts, played games and won prizes.

Thanks for all the help with the event go to Don and Nancy, Norma and the Girl Scouts, Ida and the Boy Scouts. The John Thurman Historical Society for the town Christmas tree, to Jamiee Ross and all the fire company members, and also to all those who helped with refreshments.

After the program, everyone gathered by the Christmas tree and raised their voices in singing Christmas carols. All had a good time, we hear.

Local meetings

The Southern Adirondack Four-Wheeler Club meets at the Thurman Town Hall 7 p.m. Fri. Jan. 9.

All interested in riding the trails with club members this Spring are welcome to attend any or all the meetings. Call Joan at 623-2007 for information.

The Senior Bus runs Fri. Jan. 9 on a trip to Glens Falls. Those under age 60, call 623-9281 and see if there is room on the bus for an extra underage rider.

The Thurman Volunteer Fire Co. will hold its first meeting of 2009 at 7 p.m. on Mon. Jan. 5 at the fire house in Athol. Anyone age 18 or over is welcome to stop by and sign up as a volunteer. For information, call 623-02464.

The John Thurman Historical Society welcomes any new folks who would like to become members. To do so, stop by the group's first meeting of the year, planned for 7 p.m. Tues. Jan. 6 at the Town Hall. Call 623-2007 for information.

News from Thurman Town Hall

The Gleaning food distribution will be held at the Town Hall, Athol, at 11 a.m. Tues. Jan. 6. This free food program is open to all Thurman residents. Please bring clean used grocery bags to transport the food home.

Thurman Town government's reorganizational meeting is set for 6 p.m. Fri. Jan. 2 at the Town Hall.

Those who are planning local tourist-oriented events during 2009 are urged to get in their applications early for Occupancy Tax funding through the town. The local meeting to decide on grant distribution is set for 10 a.m. Jan. 16. Drop off your funding requests at the Town Hall or mail them to the Thurman Town Clerk at Box 29, Athol, NY 12810.

Changing guard at Meals on Wheels

On the occasion of their retirement from the Meals on Wheels program, sincere thanks go out to Ed and Kathi Binder for their 12 years of dedicated service distributing the hot meals to the homebound.

Thanks also go out to Joan Harris who also retired from the program Jan. 1 - after three years of service as a driver.

Bob and Susan Shepler of Bowen Hill Rd. will be joining the program in January to help deliver meals.

Anyone else interested in assisting with this program one day per week, is urged to call Bob Florance at 623-2102.

Christmas volunteers, donors appreciated

Thank You's go out from the Thurman Christmas Basket Committee to those who donated or prepared food or gifts for the Christmas baskets prepared and delivered to local families in need.

This group effort resulted in about 50 Christmas baskets filled and delivered Dec. 13, postponed from the day earlier by the stormy weather.

Thanks go out to all the folks who baked or brought in food items and to those who sent in small gifts, plus all those who came out to help with the event.

The committee also thanks Stewart's Shoppes, Price Chopper, and the Golden Corral Restaurant and Jacobs & Toney's Meat Store of the North for their contributions. Carl at Rite Aid is also thanked in for stepping in with extra assistance.

Over the fence

Everyone is awaiting and dreading the soon-to-arrive property tax bills in January with the unexpected, humongous raise in our town budget - Will we all still be able to exist with this increase?

A big Thank You goes out to the many people who had to work on Christmas or New Years - too many times you may not feel appreciated, but you are indeed!

We're being asked where our new upgraded Senior Citizen Center is located in Thurman? A letter to the editor appearing in the area daily newspaper applauded our town's former leader for giving the seniors a better center - But where is it, anyway?

The camera man known as J.H. has been trying to capture a few unique photographs, so watch what you do in town!

Personals

Happy Birthday to all who are celebrating this week - those accounted for here, plus those who are not on our list.

Birthday greetings go to Sam Millington on Jan . 2, to Holly Haskell and Marjorie Rocker on Jan. 4, to Bonnie Monroe and Stuart Baker on Jan. 6, and to Mark Rogers and Jenny Hill on Jan. 7.

Welcome home from overseas!

After spending time in the military service in Afghanistan, Kevin Olden of Bowen Hill Rd. is now back home. A party is being planned for Kevin and his family to thank him for his willingness to fight for our freedom. The Thurman Town Hall will be opened at 4 p.m. on Sat. Jan. 10 for a pot luck luncheon in Kevin's honor. Please bring a dish to pass and join us in thanking Kevin! For more information, call 623-2007.

Soldier in Iraq says 'Thanks!'

Jesse Arnold recently contacted his mom and Dad, Lisa and Billy Arnold, and said he wanted them to thank townsfolk for the goody boxes sent recently to him and other local U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

Jesse has served about 10 months so far on his 18-month tour of duty overseas in war zones.

Jesse said the boxes, filled with food and other useful items - sent by Thurmanites - were such a nice surprise. He said that all the soldiers thank everyone in Thurman and wish everyone Happy Holidays!